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There were seventy three waiting to be chosen as Rushden Carnival Queen 1934. It was an inter-factory competition, although a few non-factory girls had come forward too. The ‘choosing’ ceremony, on the evening of Tuesday 5th June, was to be conducted privately at the home of Mrs Sanders in the Hayway and no one but competitors and judges were allowed in. A large crowd however gathered outside the gates. Dr. and Mrs Crane, the judges, were accompanied by Mr. Horrell, who had a bell, and Mr. Brightwell carrying a sheaf of papers. Freda was so nervous and sure that she wouldn’t be even in the running; in fact she couldn’t believe she’d been selected for entry in the first place.
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Freda in her summer dress
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Mr. Horrell rang his bell and the entrants walked out onto the lawn with Mrs Sanders giving moral support. First, there were the inevitable photographs then, the girls spread out in a long line. Each one was wearing a simple summer dress and the myriad colours and designs brightened up the grey, chilly evening. Dr. and Mrs Crane started judging by walking along the line and studying each one, the feeling was that they were more nervous than the entrants. Twenty were short listed and much to her amazement Freda was one of them and they were asked that if any of them would not be willing to ride in the procession on 16th June they should drop out; nobody stepped forward. Ten more were eliminated but Freda was still there and after another hour there were only five left and by then she was a nervous wreck. Dr. Crane stroked his chin as he made his final decision, then, to her utter astonishment, took Freda by the hand. She was stunned; she was to be Carnival Queen and thanks to the foresight of the organisers there could be no accusations of favouritism as Dr. Crane made it clear that neither he nor his wife knew any of the competitors personally. She, Freda Shortland age 22, typist at H.W.Chapman Ltd. was announced the winner and the four runners up, Doreen Percival, Phyllis Coleman, Betty Munn and Joan Hodgkins, were to be her maids of honour.
Nothing was left to chance and after the selection they were all measured for their costumes which had to be ready for the ‘Coronation’ on the evening of 16th June. Several fittings were taken during the next few days and the town seemed to be alive with anticipation of the long awaited merry making. Before the coronation ceremony the Queen and her maids gathered at Mrs. Sanders’ house and were dressed in the most beautiful long white gowns and sumptuous robes of crimson velvet and gold. Freda’s dress had gold embroidery and her robe trailed for a good eight feet behind her and she truly felt like a queen as they were taken by car to the Council Offices. At precisely eight o’clock Mr. Roberts and four trumpeters of the Town Band, in smart green uniforms, stepped out onto the balcony and sounded a spine-tingling ceremonial fanfare. The four maids came out and as Freda followed them a great cheer went up. She was astonished to see the crowds stretched in solid formation up Newton Road , down towards the High Street and up Rectory Road as far as George Street. Introductions followed and she was seated on the improvised ‘throne’ to receive the crown and sceptre from Mrs Allen, wife of the Chairman of the Council. More cheers from the crowd and she was so thrilled she hardly heard a word of the speeches that followed. Luckily, she didn’t have to make one herself but passed a message, through Mr. Allebone, that she hoped the fete would be supported as fully as possible. Bouquets were received from friends and employers followed by a final fanfare of trumpets.
She awoke after the expected restless night to a bright, sunny day; a change from the grey skies of the previous evening. There was much preparation for the big day, hair to be styled, make-up perfected and of course the elaborate dress and robes to be put on again. At last they were all ready and they climbed onto the back of an open lorry which had been decorated in the colours of their dresses. Freda was seated on the ‘throne’ with her maids gathered round her. The procession started. The day grew hotter and hotter and the crowds from Rushden and neighbouring towns numbering about twelve thousand thronged the mile long route. The judging of the procession took place in Spencer Park and there were numerous gaily decorated lorries with tableaux of a dozen classes and one hundred and thirty competitors in all. She was amazed at the variety of entries including ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘A Merry Gypsy Party’, ‘Henry V111 and his Wives’ as well as crinolined ladies, vagabonds and an old woman living in a shoe. Finally decisions were made and the winners and runners up chosen and at 2.15 pm the procession left Spencer Park headed by a highwayman and huntsman on horseback with the massed bands of the Temperance, Mission and Town Bands behind them. The Queen and her maids came next followed by all the other entries. The crowds cheered all the way, people leant out of windows and stood on sheds and balconies to get a better sight of the procession.
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The left photograph shows the procession and the right, Mr. Allen on the bandstand
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Once in the grounds of Hall Park the Queen and her maids alighted from the lorry and walked to the bandstand where they were seated as guests of honour. After the National Anthem by the four massed bands the speeches began. Council Chairman, Mr. Allen thanked all those involved for their enormous efforts and hoped that the worthy causes, for whom the fete was held, would benefit greatly. Alderman Horrell spoke of the work of the various causes involved and the hard work they had all undertaken during the previous year. Mrs Horrell then presented the prizes to the winners in the procession followed by the presentation of the long service awards to members of the Rushden Fire Brigade.
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The cream jug
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After the formal opening ceremony everyone left the bandstand and headed for the Hall where dainty teas were served and Freda was presented with a silver cream jug engraved ‘F.S. - Carnival Queen 1934’ and a card inscribed ‘To the Carnival Queen, June 1934 with compliments and thanks from the Carnival Committee’. Her final duty was to present the prizes for the ‘Bonny Baby Competition’ which she did with great pleasure.
Although the fete went on well into the evening with boxing matches, a motor cycle gymkhana, an ankle competition and a tug of war her day was over and absolutely exhausted she fell asleep dreaming of the wonderful day she’d had.
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Rushden Echo, 13th September 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
Lavender Bags have been made and sold in aid of the Portland-road Roll of Honour by two little girls, Freda Shortland, of Portland-road, and Lily Pendered, of Orchard-place, who have done very good service and whose work has been much appreciated by the committee.
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Rushden Echo October 1939, transcribed by Peter Brown
"Queen" in Khaki - Mrs. S. Lawrence
Do you remember this smart sergeant of the Women's Territorial Section?
She was very much to the fore in June, 1934, when as Miss Freda Shortland she was Rushden's first Carnival Queen, leading a big procession in the cause of charity.
Now as Mrs. Sidney Lawrence she is wearing the uniform of a useful war auxiliary. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Shortland, of 26, Portland-road, Rushden whose son Frank is serving in the Royal Engineers.
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